The provincial government of Cebu announced on Sunday that it has allocated a budget of P100 million to buy National Food Authority rice in line with its goal to have rice traders in the province sell rice at P20 per kilo.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia stressed that the move is consistent with the campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after her meeting with local government mayors at the Capitol recently.

To recall, the President ordered NFA to buy palay from farmers at a higher farmgate price for them to enjoy higher income, while also selling rice in the market at a lower price.

The poor will be able to buy rice for as low as P20 per kilo through the new program called the Cebu-Cheap Market or Sugbo Merkado Barato to be managed by the LGUs.

"We will buy it to NFA at P25 per kilo and give it to the LGUs at P20 per kilo," Garcia said.

A card system will be in place with the poor availing of the P20 per kilo rice, five kilos a week.

While Garcia admitted the loss of 20 percent, it will be absorbed by the provincial government.

She explained that the program is not dole out compared to giving cash assistance to indigents and constituents.